How have you chosen your partners?
The partners we have chosen have been known to us for a long time. We have met with them all at length and understand how they will use our money. Working through the United Methodist Churches General Board of Global Ministries we have excellent visibility of financial arrangements. These are small, grassroots Christian organisations working on the ground to make a difference.
How do we know the money will get through?
We have the advantage of excellent expertise in our colleagues in the General Board of Global Ministry and of having the Methodist Liaison Office staff on the ground in Jerusalem.
Why are you relaunching the appeal?
Things are only getting worse in Gaza as winter approaches. We felt that as Christmas approaches, Churches and individuals would value a chance to give to something so vital in the land where Christianity began. We are excited to working in partnership with the United Reformed Church and All We Can, this will both extend the reach of the appeal and enable the expertise from each of us to be shared and maximised. We feel we are better when we stand together in solidarity.
Why are you calling it the Justice appeal?
We recognise that social action and social justice cannot be prised apart, that to give is not enough. Our Justice seeking, as set out in the Justice Seeking Church report requires us to pray and to act justly in all matters. The Methodist Church’s position on the incredibly complex issues evident in the conflict is nuanced and has been developed carefully and prayerfully over the years. You can find it set out here
What work are you doing with those from the other Abrahamic faiths?
We continue to rejoice in and give thanks for the work of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) whose advice and help to us as we worked on our EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Toolkit was invaluable as we strive to combat antisemitism in all its forms. As Moderator of the Free Churches group our President of the Conference, Revd Helen Cameron is a President of CCJ.
This has enabled us to show our deep commitment to interfaith work particularly during her year and enriched our understanding considerably. In her capacity as President of the Conference Helen has made visits to both the Israeli Embassy and the Palestine Mission. All the partners that this appeal will support are committed to serving those of all faiths and none. Our Connexional Ecumenical officer Revd Steven Cooper eo@methodistchurch.org.uk holds the brief for our interfaith work.